Edouard Manet, Le Dejeuner Sur I'herbe (Luncheon on the Grass) 1862-63

Luncheon on the Grass represents one of Manet's most well known paintings. The painting represents the idea of artists as as a “Flaner”. “Flaner” (in french) is to stroll or saunter. Artist of the late 19^th century where known for their ability to walk into society, observe, remain detached, and to then recreate what they witnessed in their own studio; which is what Manet has done in the painting illustrated above. In this painting the view encounters a strange affair in the park. The scene depicts two nude women and to clothed men eating lunch and conversing on a grassy knoll. From left to right we notice the instead of applying the same detailed background throughout the entire painting, the artists begins painting in detail to the left of the paint, provides little detail to the middle, and the proceeds to paint the trees on the right side of the painting in great detail. The artists variation in detail and the movement of his brush strokes disturbed art critics during the late 19^th century. However, the most captivating detail in Manet's painting- another annoyance to early art critics- was the authority Manet gives the central nude woman, who is shown next to the two fully dressed men. Rather than having the woman's gaze focused on the ground or another spot of the painting, Manet allows the nude woman to look directly at the audience. The nude woman's perspective is strange because prior to this painting women were not to be depicted nude unless they where representing either a mythical goddess or a religious scene. Since the nude women in Luncheon on the Grass is clearly illustrated as a common woman or even a prostitute, the authority she holds within the painting is strange and unnatural. The painting makes the audience feel as though they have accidentally stumbled upon the men and woman's afternoon. Although Manet's painting is greatly revered today, when it was first introduced to salons Luncheon on the Grass was received with criticism because of the nude woman's lack of title and the artists lack for even detail throughout the painting.

Gabriel Faure was another popular composer during the late 19^th century. Featured below is one of his best known compositions “Pavane.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpgyTl8yqbw